Искусства и ремесла Средневековья

Gold and Silver

11

temperament is no,vhere found betteг epitomized than in his life and writings. Внt as а producer of artistic things, he is а great disappointmeвt. Тоо versatile to Ье а supreme specialist, he is far more interesting a.s а man and craftsman than as а designer. Technical skill he had in unique abundance. And another faculty, for which he docs not always receive due credit, is his gift for imparting his knowledge. His Treatises, con­ taining valuaЬle information as to methods of ,vork, are lcss familiar to most гeaders than llis fascinating Ьiog1·aphy. Tl1ese Treatises, or directions to craftsmen, are full of the spice and cl1arm 1,,vhicЬ characterize his othcr work. One canrюt proceecl froш а coнsideration of the bolder metal work to а study of the dainty art of the goldsшith witl10ut а glance at Benvenuto Cellini. Thc introduction to the Treatises has а naive opening: (' \Vhat first proшpted me to write ,vas tЬе knowledge of ho,v foпd people are of hearing anything ne1,,v." This, and other reasons, indнced l1im to " write about those loveliest. secrets and wondгoпs шethods of the great art of goldsmithing." Francis I. indeed tlюнght highly of Ccllini. Upon viewiпg one of his works, his l\fajesty гaised Ьis hands, and exclaimed to the Marescl1al de France, '' I comшancl you to give the first good fat аЬЬеу that fa11s vacant to our Benvenuto, for I do not want ту kiпgdoш .to Ьс deprived of his like." Benvenuto describes the process of making filigree work, tl1e principle of whicl1 is, fine ,vire coiled flat so